FFashion isn’t averse to a silly accessory. For example, see a recent tiny Fendi lollipop holder, custom-made to the dimensions of a Chupa Chup and yours, costing £440, or a Gucci canvas pet carrier for £2,290. But sometimes a trend emerges that is – whisper it – practical and affordable. This summer, the peppy phone strap is launching – freeing the hands of everyone from parents and pub-goers to Hollywood stars.

Look around at rush hour: commuters and tourists have their phones attached to cords and draped over sweaty torsos. The finishing touch to Gen Z’s OOTD videos on TikTok is attaching their phone to a beaded strap and throwing it around their wrist or shoulder.

This trend has its roots in convenience. In the UK, the average person checks their phone every 12 minutes. Smartphones have become – worryingly – an extension of our upper limbs, and most of us don’t bother putting them in a pocket. A strap makes carrying something like the largest iPhone, which is about the size of a small paperback book, less cumbersome.

“In today’s world, our phones have become an extension of our central nervous system and an integral part of our daily lives,” says Rachel Steed-Middleton, founder of London-based brand String Ting. The brand sells colorful beaded bands reminiscent of candy necklaces and counts Kendall Jenner and Dua Lipa among its fans, while Gigi Hadid favors a blue beaded band with puffy cloud pendants.

Dutch brand Ateljé has sold out of a necklace made from recycled beads after fans spotted it in the trailer for Emily in Paris season 4. Topologie, a Hong Kong-founded brand inspired by climbing, offers colorful rope versions with quick-release carabiners and flexible bungee clasps, while Etsy offers handmade versions ranging from giant resin necklaces to wool crochet necklaces.

Naturally, luxury brands have been quick to pick up on the burgeoning trend, with price tags to match. Prada sells a metal chain version with its triangular logo for £810, Miu Miu has a black and white rope bracelet for £315, while Brunello Cucinelli offers an understated suede version for £490.

But besides the convenience of hands-free calling, there’s another reason why this accessory is trending right now. From bars to buses, social media is full of videos showing phones being snatched from unsuspecting hands faster than it takes you to shout “Stop!” According to figures from the Metropolitan Police, a phone is stolen every six minutes in London. Just as a belt bag is recommended for travel rather than a carry bag, a phone strap provides an extra layer of security and can, in some cases, deter nimble fingers.

“We believe these accessories provide an important safety feature for our customers. The ability to carry the phone close to the body and have both hands free can give users greater peace of mind, especially in crowded public environments,” says a spokesperson for Casetify, which began selling custom phone cases in 2011 and recently launched a dedicated category for straps – there are more than 35 options, including smooth leather straps in muted beige tones like “oat milk.”

But the greatest appeal of a phone strap, as Steed-Middleton points out, is that it is another way to add personality to a functional – and much-vaunted – accessory.

Smartphones appear in mirror selfies and are placed centre stage everywhere, from the desk to the dinner table. We’re constantly pulling them out to share real-life memes and jot down podcast suggestions. While plain leather flip phone cases have earned the nickname “boomer cases”, younger generations prefer something that offers a little more insight into their identity. Think Polaroid pictures of their dogs or tactile resin covered in bows. Phone straps are a natural extension of this kind of personalisation. If you really want to embrace that spirit, you might want to steer clear of Dior’s £1,050 leather case and gold chain and head to TikTok instead, where DIY tutorials show you how to use ribbon or cord and a bunch of cheap beads to customise your phone to your liking.

The measure

What’s hot this week – and what’s definitely not

Upwards

Puffin | Check out JW Anderson’s pelagic seabird clutch, which is making its way up the must-have bag charts. Sorry, pigeons.

Unsightly tan lines | Swimsuits with scalloped edges and bikinis with double straps cause uneven tan lines. Just let it happen.

Olympic Cosplay | Kendall Jenner arrived in Paris to cheer on Team USA wearing the Ralph Lauren Olympian bomber jacket that the flag bearers will wear at the closing ceremony. If only the sportswear looked this good.

Sink

#TidyTok | Who knew Rihanna and A$AP Rocky were so friendly? Check out their massive marble kitchen island covered in everything from washing powder containers to plastic snacks and baby toys #Messfluencing.

Beauty fridges | DJ Khaled has a freezer dedicated solely to ice cream. Popsicles > icy jade rollers.

Straw basket bags | Sofia Coppola spent the summer lugging around a colorful canvas beach bag from Pacific Tote Co., the brand founded by her brother Roman. Long live nepotism!

Reading of the week

What to click

Style Clinic

Chloe Mac Donnell, deputy fashion and lifestyle editor, solves your wardrobe dilemmas

Q: I know that according to Generation Z we should all trade our hidden sneaker socks for visible socks. But how long should they be? – Sophie, London

A: Ah yes, the great sock gap, which may be the winning argument of 2024. Time will tell. The fit depends entirely on the length of your leg, but aim for something that ends just below the start of the calf muscle. Something like the ones demonstrated above by actress Emma Corrin.

These types of socks are generally called crew socks. Generation Z prefers plain white with sneakers or a bright contrasting color like bright red with brown loafers. Uniqlo has a three-pack of ribbed versions to start with.

Do you have a style question of your own? Send it to [email protected].